Widowed and divorced daughters will continue to receive CGHS benefits even after the death of their parents—find out more..

The Central Government has taken a highly compassionate and historic decision for the welfare of pensioners and their families. According to a new order issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, dependent widowed or divorced daughters who reside with their parents can now be included in their family’s Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) card. Most importantly, these health benefits will continue even after the demise of the original government employee or pensioner.

**Addressing a Flaw in Previous Rules**
Previously, there was a significant technical hurdle in the existing regulations. If the primary cardholder (an employee or pensioner) passed away and their surviving spouse began receiving a family pension, there was no legal provision to add or reinstate any new dependent member to the CGHS card. Due to this, many dependent daughters—including those suffering from serious illnesses—were deprived of access to free or subsidized medical treatment.

The Ministry had received numerous representations from pensioners across the country, expressing their inability to afford medical expenses for dependent daughters who have no independent source of income. This humane initiative by the government will provide much-needed relief to elderly parents who, in the later stages of their lives, were deeply concerned about the health and well-being of their daughters.

**What Are the Eligibility Criteria?**
The Ministry of Health has clarified that the benefits of this scheme will not be granted automatically; the inclusion of a daughter’s name will be subject to a rigorous verification process. To qualify, the daughter must be officially widowed or legally divorced. She must have no independent income of her own and must be entirely dependent on the pensioner. Furthermore, all other existing departmental terms and conditions under the CGHS will continue to apply as before.

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